Common Name:

General Information

Allamanda cathartica is an evergreen climbing shrub that can reach a free-standing height of 2 metres or produce clambering stems 6 metres or more long that reach into the crowns of small trees. Older plants often have multiple stems from the root crown and long stems with relatively few branches[, ].
The plant is sometimes used medicinally, even though it is poisonous. It is commonly grown as an ornamental, sometimes also as a hedge or a ground cover.

Known Hazards

The plant contains a poisonous, milky sap - all parts of the plant are considered to be toxic[].

Botanical References

Range

S. America - Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, the Guyanas; C. America - Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras.

Habitat

Riverbanks in rain forests[]. It can rapidly invade abandoned farm land, waste land etc[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	2.00 m
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of moist, tropical lowland regions, where it can be found at elevations up to 700 metres. It is found growing in Puerto Rico in areas where the mean annual rainfall is in the range 1,000 - 2,800mm, though may be tolerant of a greater range than this. Plants are intolerant of frosts, being killed by temperatures of -1°c[].
Prefers a position in full sun, but tolerant of light shade[]. Grows well in most soils in the tropics and sub-tropics, preferring well drained, moist, sandy soils rich in organic matter, but it becomes chlorotic in very alkaline conditions and is intolerant of saline soils[, ]. Established plants are drought tolerant[].
Widely grown as an ornamental, the plant has escaped from cultivation in many areas and become naturalized[]. It is classified as 'invasive' in many areas. Because seed is rarely produced by cultivated varieties, naturalization is usually by vegetative means. In Puerto Rico, for example, where the species has been planted widely, it persists tenaciously, and spreads by layering as the vines extend. In addition, trimmings dumped in vacant lots and wildlands root readily and start new colonies[]. Simply cutting back the plant does not kill it - either all the roots have to be removed, or all new growth must be cut back to ground level as soon as it is seen until the plant eventually dies of exhaustion[].
A fast-growing plant with stems extending by 1 - 3 metres a year[, ].
The plant responds very well to trimming and pruning, resprouting readily even from old wood[].
The plant usually flowers and produces fruit all year round[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

An iInfusion of leaves, in moderate doses, is an excellent cathartic; in larger doses it is purgative and violently emetic[]. A decoction of the leaves, in small doses, is used as an antidote to poisoning and as a treatment for colic[].

The bark and latex, in small doses, are considered cathartic; in large doses, poisonous[]. A decoction of the bark is used as a hydragogue[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant responds very well to trimming and can be shaped to form a hedge[].
Because it clambers over the ground and self-layers, it does make an effective ground cover[], but perhaps there are more suitable plants for this[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -
Cuttings root easily[].

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